Nicole Pontes-Coelho explains the controversy of Victoria's Secret, an infamously loved brand that sets unattainable beauty standards, looking into inclusivity and their seedy history.
Earlier this autumn, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2025 hit our screens. Following on from last year’s show, which was disappointing to many due to the lack of glitz and glamour,, considerable anticipation and excitement preempted this year's runway. Many hoped it would resemble Victoria's Secrets’ much-loved original aesthetic. This year the femme fashion show turned into a focus of heated debates. Many took their opinions to social media, criticising the company for their representation and diversity, taking into consideration the history of Victoria’s Secret with regard to this year’s lineup.
“Every girl's ultimate dream”, this entertainment special is enjoyed and celebrated as a mini holiday of sorts, slumberparty-fuel for a screening and selfcare evening. But is this an inclusive platform for all to enjoy and feel represented upon? In 2018, the then-chief marketing officer for a former parent brand of Victoria’s Secret, affirmed in interview with Vogue, that trans women do not have a place in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion "The show is a fantasy. It's a 42-minute entertainment special. That's what it is. It is the only one of its kind in the world."
Show, as they wouldn’t fit the “fantasy”. Despite redacting and apologising for this statement, Razek stepped down from his role the next year, and within that month the company hired their first openly trans model, Valentina Sampaio, who in 2024 walked in the show alongside Alex Consani as the first openly trans models in Victoria Secrets history.
In 2020, the New York Times published an investigation, featuring interviews of over 30 current and former executives, employers, contractors and models, that revealed cases of misogyny, bullying and harassment in the brand. The following year, Les Wexner, the former chief executive officer for L Brands, stepped down from his role after facing years of criticism surrounding his alleged past with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This led to Victoria Secret completely separating from L Brands later that year, becoming an independent company.
Victoria’s Secret has continually been considered the epitome of the objectification of women, a company built on profiting on their insecurities. Former Victoria’s Secret Angel, Karlie Kloss, admitted that she left the show as she felt that it did not represent her true character and that it was not a message she wanted to pass to youths around the world. With a history surrounded by so many controversies, many affirmed that a company like this might not deserve redemption, especially considering that it does not seem to be rectifying their past mistakes. Recently, social media platforms have been filled with users arguing the opposite.
The show’s recent surge of inclusivity projects itself as a bid for the company to remain relevant and grow profits. This leads to the question, is any form of representation good, or is inclusivity for the sole purpose of financial gain just as bad as no representation, as it might just be fleeting, especially with the current rise of diet culture?
Despite all the years in which the lack of representation in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was criticised, and said calls for inclusivity finally being answered, a lot of people were still unhappy. Some completely disregarded the company’s controversial past and the criticism it faced, affirming that the original show, with its underrepresentation of different ethnicities and sizes, was better than the current one. These opinions seem to agree with Razek, affirming that the brand’s increased inclusivity ruins the show and the “fantasy” surrounding it. Many affirm that they want to see unattainable beauty and bodies, arguing that that is the appeal of the show, and of the brand, and that is what makes its products desirable.
Across social media, opinions were voiced relating to this year's lineup, some saying that it is not inclusive enough, others that it is too much so. Also heavily criticised is how not all of the women modelling, were professional models. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is considered the Super Bowl of fashion, and if this is true, then how come just anyone can play? The presence of athletes and of influencers can be considered problematic as it takes away opportunities for models who have worked their entire lives to succeed within this cut throat industry. Some even went as far as to affirm that their presence gave the show an amateur feel.
Personally, I was glad to see such representation and inclusivity. I just hope that in future editions the show becomes more inclusive, representing all kinds of women and that this wave of representation isn’t just a trend.